Utah RN to MSN Bridge Programs

With the health care field constantly undergoing changes and reforms, those who provide high-quality care services are in high demand throughout Utah. Whether you work as a registered nurse at a hospital, clinic, or in another setting, you've likely worked hard to develop your skills and become familiar with this field. If you're ready to take the next step in your career, you may wish to become an advanced practice nurse, nurse administrator, nurse researcher, or nurse educator. By attending an RN-to-MSN program in Utah, you can get the education you need to become a leader in your local nursing community. With nationally-recognized nursing instructors, it's clear that Utah is committed to nursing education.

Before you settle on an RN-to-MSN program in Utah, you will want to make sure that you meet the admissions requirements for local schools. You must have an Associate's degree in nursing from an accredited school. In addition, you'll likely need at least one year of full-time nursing experience. Most schools have strict grade requirements for RN-to-MSN students, so you may need a fairly high GPA from your associate's degree.

As you work through an RN-to-MSN curriculum, you will be expected to expand your nursing knowledge and skills in many different ways. You may need to demonstrate your leadership skills in a health care setting and show how you can implement care plans for varying patient needs. Nursing evidence is a big part of this degree; you'll need to be able to interpret and make use of nursing research. As you progress, you will likely be expected to evaluate different health care policies and determine whether or not they are patient-friendly.

To meet these goals and others, you may take a large selection of MSN-level nursing courses. Commonly required courses in Utah include Nursing Informatics, Nursing Leadership Development, Advanced Nursing Theory, Roles and Collaboration in Nursing, and Curriculum Design for Nursing Instructors.

Since the need for advanced nursing professionals is so great in Utah, there are many financial aid opportunities to motivate MSN nursing students. Take a look at all of your schoolwide, statewide, and nationwide options once you've been accepted to the program of your choice! The Utah Students Nurses Association is an excellent resource for student nurses at varying levels of education. If you join the Utah Nurses Association, you may be able to apply for the UNF Scholarship. There are also scholarship options for those who are willing to work in Utah after graduation. Utah Nurse Practitioners provides grants to students who want to become nurse practitioners.

You must meet specific licensing requirements before you can begin working as an advanced practice nurse in Utah. The Utah Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing re quires MSN-level clinical nurses to pursue advanced licensure in addition to their RN license. This requirement encompasses nurse practitioners, nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and clinical nurse specialists. In other specialties, you just need to maintain a valid registered nursing license.

Job growth rates in Utah far exceed the national average in most careers, showing that Utah can be an excellent place to begin your advanced nursing career. O*Net predicts a 35 percent increase in jobs for medical managers through 2022. The most impressive job growth is for nursing instructors. Between 2012 and 2022, O*Net anticipates a 55 percent increase in nurse education jobs.

Across the board, nursing salaries in Utah are slightly lower than average. However, you may still earn an impressive salary, since the cost of living in Utah is fairly low. Nurse instructors in Utah earn an average of $61,400 per year (O*Net, 2013). In Utah, nurse anesthetists earn an average salary of $124,100 per year (O*Net, 2013).

It's clear that earning an MSN may improve your job outlook and your salary potential. In the big picture, though, earning this degree can also help you become a big player in the nursing field in Utah. You may contribute to better health care standards, expand your reach with patients, and encourage other nurses to continue their education.

About Us

RNtoMSN was created by a group of talented individuals, including a Registered Nurse, who believe in the power of education to change lives. Our dedicated staff continually updates the nursing information and educational listings in an effort to provide you with direct access to Master’s in Nursing degree programs.